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Astrophysics > Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Title:
The feedback of massive stars on interstellar astrochemical processes

Abstract: Astrochemistry is a discipline that studies physico-chemical processes in
astrophysical environments. Such environments are characterized by conditions
that are substantially different from those existing in usual chemical
laboratories. Models which aim to explain the formation of molecular species in
interstellar environments must take into account various factors, including
many that are directly, or indirectly related to the populations of massive
stars in galaxies. The aim of this paper is to review the influence of massive
stars, whatever their evolution stage, on the physico-chemical processes at
work in interstellar environments. These influences include the ultraviolet
radiation field, the production of high energy particles, the synthesis of
radionuclides and the formation of shocks that permeate the interstellar
medium.